Paving the way for hectic soccer run

The Urban Warriors are in the fifth week of their pre-season since resuming training on June 23. In addition to friendly games against Santos and Vasco da Gama, Ajax has also held a mini camp in Stellenbosch.

The team will travel to Bloemfontein to play in the Old Mutual Mangaung Tournament at Botshabelo Stadium today.

Other teams are Free State Stars, Bloemfontein Celtic and Moroka Swallows.

AmaZulu

After three weeks of training Usuthu took last Friday off to honour outstanding players from last season, when striker Ayanda Dlamini won the Player of the Season and Litha Ngxabi was voted the Player’s Player.

New coach Manqoba Mngqithi will further evaluate his charges in the four-team Uthukela Mayoral Cup at Settlers Park Stadium in Ladysmith today against Maritzburg United, Bidvest Wits and a ­local invitational side. Bidvest Wits

The Clever Boys kicked off their pre-season on July 6 and have lined up warm-up matches against Golden Arrows, Santos, Batau FC and AmaTuks.

They have also been invited to play in today’s Uthukela Mayoral Cup.

Bloemfontein Celtic

After returning on June 28 Siwelele spent one weekend in Tshwane and played a series of friendly games against AmaTuks, Moroka Swallows and SuperSport United.

Celtic are again the hosts of the Old Mutual Mangaung Cup in Thaba Nchu today.

Free State Stars

Ea lla Koto, who got back to business immediately after the World Cup, are currently at Potchefstroom’s High Performance Centre for a three-week camp since last Sunday.

Golden Arrows

Newly appointed coach Zoran Filipovic took his squad through their paces for the first time on July 12 and they travel inland to square up against Johannesburg-based clubs in a series of warm-up games.Kaizer Chiefs

The Amakhosi squad assembled on July 10 and went for physical conditioning at the Pretoria High Performance Centre for two weeks.

The Telkom Knockout champions are expected back from Namibia today, where they played friendly matches against local professional clubs.

They will continue with their preparations at their Naturena base.

Mamelodi Sundowns

The Brazilians gathered immediately after the World Cup and spent two weeks undergoing medical and physical conditioning at the High Performance Centre in Potchefstroom.

About 46 players are part of the pre-season, with new coach Antonio Lopez Habas yet to decide on his squad for the ­upcoming campaign.

Maritzburg United

Their pre-season began in the first week of last month. Having just promoted a few youngsters the coaching staff will test their squad in the Uthukela Mayoral Cup.

They will then make their first trip outside the province to set up a one-week camp in Johannesburg and play warm-up games.

Moroka Swallows

The Birds flocked back to their training camp on July 5 and Gareth Ncaca, who has been transfer-listed by Sundowns, is one of those trying to impress coach Rainer Zobel for a place in the team. They will also feature in today’s Mangaung Cup.

Mpumalanga Black Aces

Amazayoni paraded a new-look team this week having parted with no less than 20 players recently.

They started their pre-season on June 23 and had a number of friendlies at their Witbank base.

Orlando Pirates

Like other Gauteng-based clubs,the Buccaneers conducted their pre-season at home and have been reporting for training at their Johannesburg Stadium training base since ­July 5. Amid speculation about coach Rudi Krol’s future the Dutch legend has been hard at work with his players.

Platinum Stars

Dinaledi kicked off their pre-season on June 29 at Sun City before moving into their new base at the Bafokeng Sports Campus in Phokeng, the same facility used by England during the World Cup.Santos

Boebie Solomons assembled his squad in June and the “People’s Team” also accommodated the players’ awards ceremony in their pre-season schedule.

Wayne Arendse won the Player and Player’s Player of the Year awards last Friday.

SuperSport United

The defending champions returned to work on June 15 and carried out their training at University of Pretoria Groenkloof campus.

Apart from embarking on friendly matches Matsatsantsa a Pitori are proceeding with their quest for glory in Africa as they will engage FUS de Rabat of Morocco in the second leg of their Caf Confederations Cup clash in the north African country today following a 2-1 home win.Vasco da Gama

The signing of veteran Sibusiso Zuma – on a free transfer from FC Nordsjaelland in Denmark – is the rookies’ big story of their pre-season training, which began at the end of June.

The 35-year-old striker has been with the club since last week and has played in several friendlies.

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